ANN ARBOR, Mich. — The USC men’s basketball team got a rude welcome to 2026.
Morez Johnson Jr. scored a career-high 29 points, including 17 in the first half, and second-ranked Michigan hammered No. 24 USC, 96-66, on Friday night as Big Ten play resumed.
Roddy Gayle Jr. added 12 points for the Wolverines (13-0 overall, 3-0 Big Ten), and Will Tschetter, Trey McKenney and L.J. Cason each scored 10.
Jaden Brownell scored 16 points and Erza Ausar added 15 for the Trojans (12-2, 1-2), whose only previous loss was by eight points against Washington on Dec. 6. Chad Baker-Mazara, who came into the game averaging 21 points, was hampered by early foul trouble and finished with 12 points on 3-of-11 shooting.
USC shot 34% from the field and turned the ball over 21 times. Michigan outscored USC 46-24 in the paint, 26-2 on fast-break points and 24-7 in points off turnovers.
Michigan starting guard Nimari Burnett was helped from the court with 16:25 left after falling during a battle under the basket. He went down to the court and appeared to be bleeding above his eyebrow and holding his ankle. He sat on the bench the rest of the night.
The Wolverines bolted to an 11-0 lead thanks to a defense that forced six early turnovers. USC got within five points twice in the first half and Michigan responded with a 32-19 run to build a 49-31 halftime advantage.
USC got no closer the rest of the way.
Michigan is off to its best start since it won 17 straight games to start the 2018-19 season.
UP NEXT
USC plays at No. 9 Michigan State on Monday at 5:30 p.m. PT.